The Pattern of Hematological Malignancies at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital, Aden, Yemen, from 2008 to 2010

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of hematological malignancies at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital from 2008 to 2010.

METHODS: Hematological malignancies diagnosed at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital, Department of Hematology-Oncology from January 2008 to December 2010 based on available hematological laboratory methods and histological examination were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical diagnoses were based on history and physical examination. Complete blood count was performed in all patients, bone marrow aspiration was performed in leukemia and multiple myeloma patients, and histopathological examination was performed in cases of malignant lymphoma.RESULTS: Malignant hematological disorders were diagnosed in 300 patients aged 18-80 years (mean age: 43.6 years) with a male: female ratio of 1.23: 1. Among the male patients the most common malignant disorder was non-Hodgkins lymphoma, followed by Hodgkins lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. Among the female patients the most common malignant disorder was non-Hodgkins lymphoma, followed by acute myeloid leukemia, and Hodgkins lymphoma. The study provides the frequencies for the main hematological disorders and present the different subtypes of the Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphomas.CONCLUSION: The most common hematological malignancies in male patients were Non-Hodgkins lymphomas followed by Hodgkins lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. Gender distribution showed male predominance with striking predominance in Hodgkins lymphomas (M: F Ratio of 1.9: 1).